Spa Water Recipes

     My latest spa water recipe has grapefruit, lemon, lime, cherries and 2 sprigs of mint. It turned out very refreshing and tasty.  Normally it takes 1-2 hours for the water to be infused with the fruit, but this went much quicker.
     I used one half of a large grapefruit sliced, placed a yummy maraschino cherry in each slice's center, then I sliced a half a lemon, a half a lime, and got 2 springs of fresh mint from my garden.
    I then poured an entire bag of ice in my water cooler,  tipped it on it's side and began sliding grapefruit slices down the side, the ice holding them in place.  I did the same with the lemons and lime slices. Tucked mint in around fruit.    I keep this in my frig to keep it icy cold for days.   Fruit doesn't stay fresh tasting more than a couple days.  I remove the fruit, and repeat the process with the remaining halves of fruit to refresh my spa water.  Love It!  And this is coming from a non-water-drinker!  Tip; not too much grapefruit, it tends to over power.
     Spa Water is also great infused with sliced cucumber, lemon and mint.  Cucumber infuses quickly and continues to get stronger.  I remove my cucumber when it is the right strength for my water.  Very refreshing.
This recipe with cucumber/lemon is one I see most commonly used in spa's.


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Wildcrafting Wednesdays

Earl Grey Tea Soap with Honey

     I just made this,  fresh as the morning,  Earl Grey tea soap.  I added real honey to the recipe along with bees wax for the fresh scent and the excellent qualities they bring.  I steeped 12 oz. of strong Earl Grey tea for the liquid needed in the recipe, along with Olive oil, Coconut oil, Cocoa butter, Shea butter, Grapeseed oil, and soybean/cottonseed oil.  I had such good luck with my first batch of tea soap, that I pretty much stayed with the basic same oils.

     This soap smells dewy fresh, the earl grey tea is subtle with a hint of citrus. Lovely.   Great fluffy lather.                Natural color, nothing added.

For my exact recipe proportions  look in comments.

 NOTE:  in the recipe listed in the comments section I neglected to say that the lye was measured in ounces.
 My apologies.

Homemade Soap with Tea, Honey and Lemon

Want my exact recipe proportions? Just leave your request under comments.

     I absolutely love homemade soap. The creamy texture, the awesome scents, the wholesome ingredients, just draw a body in!   My first attempt at soap making
actually turned out a winning recipe that is still an all time favorite.
     I made this soap with real brewed green tea, yummy real honey, and meyer lemon essential oil. It smells incredibly awesome.  It makes really nice bubbles and the scent as you shower is amazing.  I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of this soap.  The fresh scent of the tea lingers on your skin, lovely.   I substituted the water in the soap recipe for brewed green tea. Worked like a charm.

This is a very natural bar of soap, no colorants, or chemicals, very yummy with the added bonus of real honey which is naturally antibacterial, a great cleanser, and a humectant, which means it draws moisture in and helps retain it.      More.......

Fruit Facials / Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) Masks Recipes

     Spas around the world use fruit acid facials for their clients routinely, to smooth and improve the appearance and condition of the skin.    So, take advantage of summer's bountiful fruit harvest and make-at-home luscious  fruit facials, using the natural acid found in fruits and milk.  Recipes below.
                                               

     What are Fruit Acid Facials:  Also known as Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA) facials, these treatments use the natural acids found in fruit and milk to exfoliate, clean, hydrate, boost collagen levels,and  improve tone and texture, just to name a few benefits.

     How It Works: Fruit acids loosen the bond between the dead skin cells and the skin. Sloughing off the dead cells and exposing healthy skin cells, basically a gentle exfoliation without friction. This action unclogs pores, which helps clear up blemishes, reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and scars.  AHA's also help even out skin tone, age spots,  and blotchiness over time.

      Why should I use  an AHA  mask?  Aging skin is a natural and long process. The wrinkles we see in our 30's and 40's actually began developing decades earlier!  Our skin is dramatically effected by lifestyle and environment, those long days of sun bathing in our teens and 20's leave their mark on us in our later years.  Here's hope:  we can slow down the process of aging skin, even reverse some of the damage done by using natures pantry.  God has provided for us in nature,  fabulous ingredients for fresh, healthy skin.  Fruit acid facials are inexpensive and easy to make at home.  Economical because you can make a batch up with the fruit that is in season, hence cheaper, and freeze it in ice cube trays for individual use later.

     What can I expect?  You will notice immediately a softer, smoother complexion, a fresh feeling. It is over time that you will see the benefits of skin color evening out, age spots reduction, blotchiness etc. The AHA's in your facial help retain moisture and stimulate skin cell renewal leaving your face incredibly healthy feeling, with a beautiful youthful glow.  Your skin can get sunburned easier after some fruit treatments, so if you're planning on sun bathing after one, use a sunblock.  Staying healthy always makes us feel more at our best, so try not to stress out about the aging process, life's good at all stages! Try a few of these fun natural treatments and have a great day!

photo source flikr

Apple Facial:   the Ritz-Carlton's Bachelor Gulch Spa actually uses an Apple Face/ body Scrub that incorporates brown or white sugar, apple puree and cinnamon.....yum   Apples have malic acid, vitamin A and C and are high in potassium.

photo from flikr

• 1 Tablespoon applesauce
• 1 Tablespoon honey, warmed
• 1 teaspoon yogurt or sour cream

Combine all 3 ingredients until smooth.  Smooth on your face with fingers or with a fan brush. Leave on 10 or so minutes, until you feel it drying out. Rinse in warm water followed with a splash of cool water, or cool green or black tea.  If you don't have yogurt or sour cream you can make this mask with just applesauce and honey.  The honey hydrates and calms the complexion which is great for all skin types, and acts as antibacterial helping the acne prone skin.  It is a great all around cleanser. The apple's malic acid gently exfoliates, exposing new skin and promoting new skin growth, it aids in smoothing and soothing the skin.  This recipe yields about 2  masks, keep in refrigerator.

Honey and Lemon facial:   

photo source flikr

• 2 Tablespoons Honey (warmed)
• 1 Tablespoon Lemon juice,  from concentrate or freshly squeezed
• mix these 2 ingredients 
• Smooth on face with fingers, it is sticky, leave on 10-15 mins. and rinse  

This fruit acid facial with lemon is a great brightener. Your skin will tone up, and look all around brighter after using this a few times.   The AHA in it will lighten and brighten the tone of your skin, and help with age and sun spots over time.  The honey is an anti-inflammatory helping the acne prone skin, also of course a hydrator.    Be careful of lemon around the eye area, do not get in eyes.  If your skin is sensitive try a cucumber facial rather than a lemon/citrus one.

Cucumber Facial:    

• Cucumber
• Honey
• Yogurt ( or buttermilk or sour cream )
• Splash of green or chamomile cold tea

Cucumber has the same ph as our skin, that is one reason why spas love to use it in their facials. It works as a gentle astringent, while it soothes and cools skin stressed by the sun and heat.  It will tighten pores and sooth itchiness.

Cucumber Nourishing Mask:

• Cucumber
• Avocado
• Milk or Yogurt or powdered milk
• 1 Egg white

This mask is best made in a blender for smoothness.  Use your own measurements for consistency and yield.